Hereford bulls were in demand last week at the multi-breed sale in Cillin Hill, Kilkenny, where seven of the eight bulls on offer sold to average €3,100, up nearly €1,000 on last year’s sale.

Leading the way at €3,550 was Francis Scott from Rathdowney, Co Laois, with Knockfin Fielder. This November 2014 bull was sired by Rathregan Lincolm and is out of homebred dam Knockfin Adelaide 652.

Overall top price on the day came from the Angus ring, where the 12-month-old Doonowney Myles Karlos secured €3,850.

Karlos was the second-youngest bull in the Angus ring and is sired by Auldhouseburn Karlos D218, while his dam was the English-bred cow Nightingale Pride Jeannie.

Bred by John McDermott, Skreen, Co Sligo, Karlos boasted five stars for both terminal and replacement indices.

Overall, Angus sold well, averaging €2,620, up over €400 on last year’s sale, with 89% of bulls present finding new homes.

Limousin

The Limousin average also saw an increase to €2,650 (up nearly €350 on last year), but clearance rates failed to meet that of the traditional breeds at just over 70%.

Top price here was Brian Campion with his August 2014 bull Knockiel Joker, with the hammer finally falling at €3,750. This multi-starred bull had Roundhill Saturn and Castleview Duke in his back breeding.

The small Simmental turnout saw two of the three bulls sold to average €2,300. Topping this at €2,400 was Matthew McDonald, Camolin, Co Wexford, with Kilcloran Frankie.

Sired by Ballybane Lad, Frankie boasts a replacement index of €124, while also ranking in the top percentiles in the terminal index.

Dairy

A tough trade in the dairy ring saw averages back by nearly €500 on last year’s levels to €1,500.

Topping this at €1,600 was Sean O’Doherty of Araglin, Co Cork, with Knockaneagh Naughty. Sired by Coolmohan Rebnautical 1, Naughty carried an EBI of €241, with dam Knockaneagh Emily 2nd hitting over 9,000kg in her sixth lactation. All six Friesians present were sold on the day.

The overall average across all breeds was around €2,500, with an 80% clearance.